The fishing ban in the Oslofjord has caused uncertainty about whether people are allowed to pick Pacific oysters. The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has now clarified the rules. It is not necessary for individuals to apply for a dispensation if, during bathing or play on beaches or outdoor areas, there is a need to remove Pacific oysters to prevent someone from cutting themselves.
The Norwegian Government has announced the introduction of zero-fishing areas within the Oslo Fjord, specifically in the Ytre Hvaler and Færder marine national parks. The government will impose new restrictions on fishing gear for both recreational and professional fishermen, separate from the zero-fishing areas. Recreational fishing restrictions will come into effect from October 1st of this year.
Professional fishing restrictions will be introduced from January 1, 2026. Since 2019, fisheries measures have been introduced to strengthen coastal cod in the Oslofjord, including a total ban on cod fishing. The previous measures have not had the desired effect.
The Oslofjord is a national treasure and a part of our identity. We must act now to save it for future generations.
There has been an extensive consultation process on fisheries measures in the Oslofjord, with over 250 contributions. Three lawyers claim the fishing ban measures may be unlawful. The lawyers argue fishing is not the main cause of the environmental crisis.
They claim the ban cannot be justified because nitrogen emissions from agriculture, sewage, and industry are the main source of environmental collapse. The lawyers argue the regulation is built on a doubtful purpose and is disproportionate. The impact assessment for the ban is incomplete and fails to meet minimum legal standards.
Targeting fishermen is arbitrary given that fishing is not the main cause of ecological decline. The ban effectively strips fishermen of their livelihoods, infringing property rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. No compensation scheme has been proposed for affected fishermen.
The ecosystem in the Oslo Fjord is under significant pressure and requires comprehensive measures.
Fishermen may hold private legal rights to fish in the Oslofjord through historic customary use. The lawyers warn the ban amounts to a de facto prohibition on the right to work. A NOFIMA analysis estimates that 1,044 jobs will be directly affected and one billion kroner in value creation lost if the ban proceeds.
The Norwegian Fish Processors and Exporters Association warns the measures will lead to business closures. The lawyers cite nitrogen discharges from farmland, municipal sewage plants, and industry as the real threat to Oslofjord. One factory recently increased its nitrogen emission limits from 41 to 200 tonnes.
Professor Christoffer Eriksen has argued that sewage regulations in Oslofjord breach EEA law. The government argues the ban is needed to restore the fjord’s ecosystem. Fishing will be banned in the two marine national parks of Ytre Hvaler and Færder from 1 January 2026 for at least ten years.
The new measures are necessary to allow fish stocks and life on the fjord bottom to rebuild.
This fishing ban is a major victory for Norwegian nature conservation organisations. Hunting is still permitted in Ytre Hvaler and Færder national parks. Previously, Ytre Hvaler and Færder did not fully meet IUCN category II requirements because industrial fishing was permitted.
With the new zero fishing ban, Norway is taking an important step toward meeting international national park criteria. The EU and Norway concluded negotiations on shared stocks in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, quota exchanges, and reciprocal access to waters on 5 December. The EU will receive 10,316 tonnes of Arctic cod for 2025 and will transfer 81,750 tonnes of blue whiting and 1,700 tonnes of Northern shrimp to Norway.
EU and Norway reconfirmed stable reciprocal access to waters of the North Sea. An agreement on access for blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring could not be reached. Total allowable catches were agreed for cod, haddock, herring, plaice, and whiting in the Skagerrak.
Both EU and Norway agreed to continue restrictions on herring catches in the Skagerrak to safeguard Western Baltic herring recovery. The EU urged Norway to introduce additional measures in Norwegian waters of the North Sea to protect Western Baltic herring. The parties signed a neighbouring arrangement covering the Swedish fishery in Norwegian waters of the North Sea.
The Directorate of Fisheries has established an IUU list under regulations concerning the ban on landing fish and other special measures against IUU fishing. Vessels on the IUU list are denied licenses to fish in Norway's economic zone and prohibited from acquiring permits for entry into the Norwegian brand register. Violations of IUU prohibitions may lead to penalties and confiscation of assets.
The IUU list is divided into three parts: Part 1 (vessels subject to all prohibitions including port access denial), Part 2 (vessels not immediately affected by port access refusal), Part 3 (vessels notified of impending ban). Vessel Mumrinskiy (IMO 8729509, call sign UIPA, flag state Russia) is listed on Part 1 of the IUU list by the Directorate of Fisheries. There are currently no vessels listed in Part 2 or Part 3 of the IUU list.